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Shourt Line College of DCC & MTS
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3 day Seminar, Thurs. Sept. 17, – Sat. Sept. 19, 2015

DCC 301 Advanced Seminar

Advanced reservations required

DCC301 Builidng a 6 board 12 LED lighitng fixture for LGB coach    3    4    5    DCC301 F7A DCC and LED lighitng conversion

DCC301 Custom LED drop ceiling design and installation    DCC301 LED lighted interior in LGB coach    DCC301 Class Activities    DCC301 LED coach lighting installed

The DCC 301 Seminar includes class room lessons, demonstrations and intensive hands-on instruction. Attendees learn how to convert locos to DCC and digital sound and add custom LED lighting boards to their cars. Each student also receives a CD with all seminar presentation materials and resources links.

Click here for Seminar Registration Form PDF

DCC 301
3 Day Class

Advanced DCC Seminar
Prerequisite: DCC 201 or basic previous experience with DiMax bus systems, DCC conversion, setup, basic decoder programming & installation and DCC operation or instructor permission.

Schedule: Three 3 day Seminar, Thurs. Sept. 17, – Sat. Sept. 19, 2015 9AM - 5PM

Lunch: Is included each day

Day 1:

Start:                          9:00AM

  • Introductions
  • DCC Basics Brief Review
  • Analog vs. DCC wiring
  • DiMAX, MTS and DCC
    • Manufacturers Product Comparisons
    • Individual hands-on operation w/ ESU, LGB & PIKO systems.
    • LGB MTS I, II and III, DiMAX & DCC compatibility

Morning Break:       10:30AM to 10:45AM

  • DCC Review of major manufacturers
  • LGB/Marklin, ESU, PIKO, Uhlenbrock, Zimo, Digitrax, Phoenix, SPROG, NCE & others
  • Systems, decoders, programmers & sound systems

Lunch Break:          12:30PM to 1:30PM

  • Q&A
  • Advanced analog and DCC
    • Layout design, decoder and system options, wiring and installation, configuration, operation and programming
    • Circuit Theory and Applications
  • Conversions, Maintenance and Repair
    • Individual hands-on programming, installation, wiring, lubrication & repair

Afternoon Break:    3:00PM to 3:15PM

  • Individual Activities Hands-on
    • Individual DCC Train Competitions Hands-on
    • Individual Loco Conversions Hands-on
    • Team Train Operation Practice Hands-on
    • Basic Soldering, Adhesives & Machine tool Practice Hands-on

End:                           5:00PM

Day 2:

Start:              9:00AM

  • Q&A
  • Advanced Decoder Best Practice
    • Manufacturers Product Comparisons
    • SPROG II Universal Decoder Programmer – Demo
    • Sound Reed Switch Installation
    • Axle Sound Sync Options
    • Hall Effect Switches
    • Power buffers
    • Stop on DC Operations and Demo
    • LGB MTS I, II and III, DiMAX & DCC demonstration & compatibility Decoders
  • Decoders & Sound Boards
    • Motor Block Conversions
    • Sound Decoders & Speakers
    • Sound System Demonstrations

Morning Break:       10:30AM to 10:45AM

  • Advanced Lighting hands-on
    • Advanced Lighting Circuit Design and Applications
    • Loco, car and layout lighting, design, installation, wiring, DCC control and dimming
    • Voltage regulators, current regulators and PWM (pulse width modulation) circuits for lighting & motor control.
  • Boosters
    • Manufacturers Product Comparisons
  • Breaking, Reverse Loop & other Modules
  • Individual hands-on operation

Lunch Break:          12:30PM to 1:30PM

  • Q&A
  • Advanced Automation
  • Train automation via central station and PC programs
  • Feedback control, track contacts and loco magnets
  • Hands-on exercise and demonstrations

Afternoon Break:    3:00PM to 3:15PM

  • Individual Activities Hands-on
    • LED Lighting and wiring Hands-on
    • Individual DCC Train Competition Practice Hands-on
    • Team Train Operation Practice Hands-on
    • Team Loco Train Competition Practice Hands-on
    • Individual Loco Conversions Hands-on
    • Soldering, Adhesives & Machine Practice Hands-on

End:                           5:00PM

Day 3:

Start:                          9:00AM

  • Q&A
  • Train automation via central station and PC programs
  • Advanced circuits
  • SUSI. DiMAX, Loconet, MTS buses
  • Buffers; battery and capacitor types
    •  Hands-on exercise and demonstrations
  • Battery Operated DCC
  • Switch motors
    • Mfg. reviews, demonstrations, hands-on exercises
  • RC servo
    • Applications; Uncouplers, Catenary automation, animation
    • Hands-on exercise and demonstrations
  • Advanced loco maintenance, repair and testing.

Morning Break:       10:30AM to 10:45AM

  • Individual  & Team Activities
    • Individual  & Team DCC Train Competition Practice
    • Complete Individual Loco Conversions
  • Advanced DCC & sound system conversion techniques to original manufacturers specifications
  • Advanced Skills Hands-on
    • Hands-on instruction and best practice for machining, soldering, spot welding, gluing and electronic test equipment use.

Lunch Break:          12:30PM to 1:30PM

  • Individual Activities Hands-on
  • Competition
    • Individual Train Operation Hands-on
    • Team Train Operation Hands-on

Afternoon Break:    3:00PM to 3:15PM

  • Celebration
  • Awards
    • Individual & Team Train Operation Hands-on
    • Special Awards
  • Dinner
    • Return Feedback Cards
    • Hand out discount coupons
    • Wrap-up

End:   5:00PM

Registration: All class reservations are offered on a first come first serve basis – advanced registrations required for all classes.

Individual DCC Loco Conversions: Attendees may wish to ship their locos in advance to the Shourt Line shipping address. If machine work is desired by the Shourt Line please allow 10 working days prior to the seminar to ensure your loco is ready. Please order any decoders and conversion hardware 10 days prior to the conference; please contact the Shourt Line for help in ordering parts required for your locos conversion. Time is scheduled each day for attendees to perform a DCC conversion on their own loco.

Date:Three 3 day Seminar, Thurs. Sept. 17, – Sat. Sept. 19, 2015

Sign in Time: 8:45AM to 9:00 AM Thursday

Lunch: Lunch is provided each day.

Class Location: Oceanside, CA 92051

Seminar Parking: TBA

Hotels:

Instructor: James E. Shourt (Professor)
Enrollment: 4 persons maximum

Terms and conditions:
Payment in full required to hold reservation. All reservations are non-refundable except in the event of class cancellation. All seats will be made available on a first come first serve basis. Class times are; 1 day 10AM-5PM, 3 Day 9AM-5:00 PM, Parking is provided, Lunch and hotel room costs not included, dinner is provided for the last day of 3 day classes. Discount Hotel reservations available (see Seminar Class Schedule for more information). All attendees of a 3 day class will receive include a 20% off any brand and 30% off PIKO brand MSRP coupon for purchases and a CD with class outline and presentation materials for class participant use only and not for distribution. Classes will be audio and/or /video recorded for private use of the Shourt Line and will be made available to participants upon request.

Payment options:
No fee options:

  • PayPal – No Fee Method (Contact the ShourtLine.com for no fee payment  from a US bank account).
  • Check in USD made out to the Shourt Line. Mail to (Shourt Line, Attn. Seminar Reservations, PO Box 1786, Oceanside, CA 92051- All payments must be received 48 hours prior to the start of class.)

Fee based payment options: (4.1% fee is added to the base class fee)

  • PayPal – payment from by credit card or PayPal account
  • Major Credit Cards (Call the Shourt Line at 310-622-4431 for credit card payment)

 

By the end of this seminar you should:

  • Understand the features of DCC equipment
  • Understand equipment, track & decoder wiring
  • Be able to convert analog locos to DCC
  • Be able to program automated functions
  • Be able to wire & program any decoder
  • Be able to configure loco and central station functions
  • Be able to choose the right system for any layout requirements
  • Become proficient at multi-train operations, switch routes, consisting and loco configuration.
  • Become proficient in loco maintenance, repair and conversion
  • Gain new skills and techniques for model railroading

 

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After registering for each class a parking pass and class attendance confirmation will be mailed within 24 hours - click on the links below for class registration form and complete class details.

Click here for Seminar Registration Form PDF

 

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